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8 Irish players who could be on the move this summer

Shane Long and other stars who could join new clubs in the coming months.

1. Shay Given

Hull City v Stoke City - Premier League - KCOM Stadium EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

After being released by Stoke, many expected the 41-year-old to announce his retirement, though Given hinted he could play another season in a recent interview with Newstalk. Moreover, QPR are rumoured to be interested in signing the Donegal native.

2. Marc Wilson

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Liberty Stadium David Davies David Davies

After struggling to get first-team action at Bournemouth, the 29-year-old defender joined West Brom on loan in January. He has made four appearances, all in May, since then, with Baggies boss Tony Pulis believed to be interested in signing the Irish international on a permanent basis.

3. Jonny Hayes

Celtic v Aberdeen - William Hill Scottish Cup - Final - Hampden Park Jeff Holmes Jeff Holmes

Hayes has impressed at Aberdeen this year, scoring the opening goal in the recent Scottish Cup final loss to Celtic and gaining a PFA player of the year nomination for his displays over the course of the campaign. And Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp was in the crowd at Hampden Park on Sunday, as he weighs up an offer for the 29-year-old Dubliner, who is also attracting interest from Cardiff.

4. Aiden McGeady

Huddersfield Town v Preston North End - Sky Bet Championship - John Smith's Stadium Clint Hughes Clint Hughes

Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Everton, the 31-year-old has thrived since going to Preston on loan. The winger, who was named the club’s player of the year recently, has indicated his desire to stay at Deepdale, with Everton and Preston understood to be negotiating a potential £2 million deal for the former Celtic star.

5. Sean Maguire

Ireland: Cork City v Dundalk - Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Final SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

Maguire’s future has been the subject of much speculation for months now. Preston boss Simon Grayson watched the player in action in the flesh recently, and has admitted the club are considering a move for the 23-year-old. At the very least though, Cork City will hope they can hold onto him until the League of Ireland season ends in November.

6. Ryan Manning

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Queens Park Rangers - Sky Bet Championship - Molineux PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Manning signed a new contract at QPR in January after breaking into the first-team midway through the season, though that hasn’t stopped speculation linking the 20-year-old Galway native with summer moves to both Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

7. Shane Long

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - Premier League - White Hart Lane John Walton John Walton

Long lost his place in the first XI at Southampton this season and has struggled for goals since new boss Claude Puel took over, in stark contrast to the previous season under Ronald Koeman, where he reached double figures in the Premier League for the first time in his career. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is believed to be an admirer of the 30-year-old Tipperary native, as the Croatian coach looks to sign a striker this summer.

8. Darren Randolph

West Ham United v Swansea City - Premier League - London Stadium PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

The 30-year-old made more appearances than ever this season for West Ham (27), but there was a lingering sense of frustration as he lost his place in the team to Adrian towards the end of the campaign after a costly gaffe against Sunderland. Despite signing a new contract last summer, the Bray native may consider going elsewhere in the close season in order to enhance his first-team prospects.

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